The Great wildebeest migration

The great wildebeest migration is a year out & year out it is a great experience to witness such a spectacle however there are moments or highlights that travelers and stakeholders argue as the best time to see these migratory animals.

These moments are categorized below as highlights of the great wildebeest migration.

1. calving season (December to March); this is the period when the migratory animal’s wildebeest, zebras will be giving birth & nurturing their newborns this takes place in southern Serengeti & northern Ngorongoro in an area called “Ndutu” this area being mineral enriched, plain & with short grass is the perfect place for migratory animals to calve. With thousands of newborns being reproduced daily and predators preying and very close, it is an ideal time to witness a live hunt.

Note: February is more precise for calving 

2. Mara river crossing (July – October); this is the time the great wildebeest migration will be expected to be crossing the Mara river, if you have ever watched national geography and seen thousands of wildebeest crossing a river and crocodiles feasting on them, this is what usually happens from the read above you now understand the crossing is down to need and their survival so despite the threat posed by crocodiles thousands of wildebeest will be set to cross mara river for green pastures and water in Masai mara.

Why is the mara river crossing better than the Grumeti river crossing?

On the cycle of the great wildebeest migration, these animals cross the Grumeti river & mara river while on both rivers they face the crocodiles' mara river crossing is said to be a better view than the Grumeti river crossing this is down to the following reasons.

• Unlike the Grumeti river, the mara river is not surrounded by trees so you get a better view of the crossing and action.
• The mara river has more crocodiles and hippos in comparison to the Grumeti river.
• The mara river has a small descent and ascends into and out from the river hence a better view and more action.
• The Mara river surroundings suit best lions to prey on the migration just after the crossing so better action.

             Note: August is more precise for the mara river crossing

3. Grumeti river crossing (June – July); at this time, it is expected the great wildebeest migration will be crossing the Grumeti river, this river is situated in western Serengeti where vegetation shifts from plains to little forests and bushes where the migration passes through when it starts to get dry.

The great wildebeest migration happens throughout the year & through the years means its path/cycle is known and can be predicted but not to the precise timings as changes in weather can affect the timing but are still likely to fall within the time range.

December to March, in this time it is expected many herds to be in southern Serengeti & northern Serengeti famously in an area called ndutu where they go for calving, however, some can be scattered naabi, Olduvai Gorge which is in south Serengeti & north Ngorongoro.

April – July, from late march herds, will start moving from south Serengeti to central Serengeti (seronera) where they will stay and start moving to Kirawira & Grumeti (western Serengeti) in late May, they will then be expected to cross river Grumeti from mid-June to July.

July – September, from July it is expected herds to have moved to the northern areas of Serengeti (kogatende, Lobo) where some herds will be heading towards river mara & crossing to Masai mara this is expected to continue until early October.

October – November, at this time is expected the last herds to have arrived in Maasai mara where will be expected to graze until November when they will be heading back to Serengeti.

We have special migration packages which will follow the migration depending on the season & where the migration is at the time, our migration tours start from 3 – 8 days which will provide ample time to witness this spectacle but the time required is dependent on where migration is at, hence short duration once in ndutu (south Serengeti & longer duration once northern Serengeti).

Our migration trips will focus on migration however will also visit other must-visit areas like The Ngorongoro crater & others dependent on the package chosen.

Why a wildebeest migration tour package?

higher chances of seeing predators and likely in action

predators don’t migrate but when the migration cross path to their territories predators will be on alert and prey on these animals.

great animal density

if you are looking to witness many animals in an area size something, you will have to do a migration tour as the Serengeti can be very large if you choose a tour focused on central Serengeti & the migration is on north Serengeti those visiting a migration tour is will see more animals.

great understanding of migration

if you are keen on learning about migration, you should book a migration tour. Though other tours can sometimes cross paths with the migration they won’t focus on it.

photographic safari

if you are keen on doing a photographic tour you should opt for one that will also cover the migration, you will surely have better & surreal images and videos.

Things to know about the migration tour packages

01. This tour will focus on migration but also visit other must-see areas like The Ngorongoro crater.

02. The tour will stay at tented lodges, mobile camps, seasonal tented lodges & lodges (unless customized to your requirements).

03. Tour is private, and will not match travelers to this tour as it is a great challenge & risky for us as these tours stay in lodges or tented lodges accommodation & they are not budget stays nor are these budget safaris.

04. Tour can be customized; clients can use add-on options & tailor-made their experience.

01. With over 2 million animals it is the largest animal migration on earth.

02. Over 4000 tons of food daily.

03. There is no leader.

04. About half a million newborns in a span of weeks.

05. Newborns walk & run minutes after being born.

06. Over 1000km in a migration circle.

The variables are rain and grazing through the seasons plus a few physical barriers.

Refer to the maps. Outlines of Kenya and Tanzania. Then the larger Serengeti Ecosystem map. Note the Serengeti Plains in the south. The western corridor in the west. The Lobo Hills in the north. Seronera in the center. The Masai Mara is in the far north of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

Let’s start the annual cycle with the “short” and light rains in November and December (sometimes as early as October).

• The rains fall on fertile volcanic soils which are remnants of the volcanoes in the southern Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

• The result is short sweet grass which draws the migration rapidly south from Kenya’s Masai Mara. The migration moves down the eastern side of Tanzania’s Serengeti into these sweet short-grass plains.

• The wildebeest settle in the southern plains between January and April as there’s lots of food.

• In late March or April and May the “long” or heavy rains set in. The depleted southern plains are less attractive than the long grass plains up in the western corridor. As a result, the wildebeest migration moves north westerly.

• Large river crossings on the Grumeti and Mara Rivers occur as the migration heads back north towards the Mara. The season dries out and fresh grazing and water can be found in the far north. The Mara is usually at its best in August, September, and October especially when it’s very dry.

• Fresh rains start building around October into November. The migration gets restless as it anticipates the change in season. It moves north and south and back again. This is when we usually get the best river-crossing action.

• The cycle starts again when the short rains break and result in fresh sweet grass in the southern Serengeti plains. The wildebeest migration moves rapidly south.

How the migration really works!

The theory is simple. Seasonal rains and the availability of grazing determines the “clockwise” movement of the migration. The larger ecosystem includes Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. A few physical barriers like the Simiti and Lobo hills and the Grumeti and Mara rivers hinder and alter this “circular” path. Well in reality it’s not quite that simple!

Here’re some notes gleaned from Richard Knocker. One of the original Nomad Guides in East Africa.

Between the short and long rains – November to April

The wildebeest want to be in the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti. That’s near Ndutu, Gol, and Southern Loliondo, but the water and grazing cannot support them all year round. This is where they choose to give birth to their young with rich grass to support them. That’s usually February and March. Within a short space of time, perhaps 4 to 6 weeks, several hundred thousand calves are born. This is where and when we see much of the dramatic predator action.

The wildebeest migration moves off in search of sustenance in response to periods of dry weather. They leave this sweet area as late as possible and come back as soon as they can. But the rains are unpredictable. So every year is different and, in fact, every week can be different.

The migration is also not a continually forward motion. They go forward, back and to the sides, they mill around, they split up, they join forces, they walk in a line, they spread out, and they hang around. You can never predict with certainty where they will be.

So, soon after the short rains start we expect the migration to be in the sweet grass plains area around Naabi, Ndutu and Gol. That’s from December through to April. Depending on local rainfall, they might be anywhere from Moru Kopjes through to the slopes of Ngorongoro.

After the long rains into the dry season – May to October

From May, the rains stop and the herds gradually start moving. Usually, as the plains of the south and east dry out, there is a movement to the north and west. That’s because there’s more grass and more dependable water.

Not all the wildebeest and zebra will follow the same route though. This means that while part of the migration will head to the western corridor and the Grumeti River before heading north, significant numbers may also go up through Loliondo, or via Seronera and Lobo.

In a dry year, the first wildebeest could be near the Mara River in early July as this is the only decent permanent water in the ecosystem. In a wet year, as late as mid-August. If conditions are very good, with plenty of grass and water the herds will be spread out all the way from Seronera to the Mara River.

The wildebeest migration as a whole need not all pass into Kenya. Many stay behind in Tanzania and then cross and re-cross the border areas. This carries on until October into November when they start thinking of heading back. Again this will be dependent on the rain.

Some notes on the Mara “river crossings”

• The Mara river crossings happen at any time during the dry season. But they’re elusive, they happen quickly. They’re unforgettable experiences.

• The areas that the migration wildebeest covers are vast, even when crossed in a 4WD car. That’s in both the Serengeti and the Mara.

• Note that there’s more Mara River frontage in Tanzania than there is in Kenya. The migration can criss-cross over the border. People can’t!

• The migrating groups may be split over a wide area. Finding one on the brink of crossing is not a given.

• The wildebeest are easily spooked by real or imagined threats. They fear crossing the river, as they have an inkling that something lurks there.

• Patients waiting near a herd by the river may only produce a puff of dust as they turn on their heels and run away. Or maybe the herd is just not ready to cross the river and they are milling around contentedly.

• However, if everything is right. Then there is utter and extraordinary chaos as the herds struggle to get to the other side of a major river filled with crocodiles.